Cecile Blilious
Cecile is the Founder and Managing Partner at Impact First Investments, Israel's first impact venture fund. Impact First is exclusively focused on investing in technology companies that are creating innovative ways to address global social challenges through new ideas, technologies and business models. Cecile specializes in merging technology, profit and social impact and is a pioneer of the impact investing industry in Israel. Prior to founding Impact First, Cecile managed the Noaber Foundation's Israeli investments for over 14 years, and has extensive hands-on management experience with high-tech startups. Additionally, Cecile held executive positions and led several companies as a CEO and, on behalf of the Noaber Foundation, served as a chairperson and board member on many more. Moreover, she was one of the initiators of the Al-Bawader private equity fund, established to invest in businesses in the Arab community in Israel. Cecile volunteers as a mentor and loan committee member at the Keren Shemesh Foundation for the Encouragement of Young Entrepreneurs. Cecile is a board member and observer of Impact First’s portfolio companies, and treasurer of the Business Ethics Center in Jerusalem. Prior to beginning professional career, Cecile served as an intelligence officer in the Israel Defense Forces. Cecile is also an alumnus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where she studied political science and international relations.